92. The Production of Woman

1. Woman is necessary to man for purposes of generationaccording to God's plan for the propagation of the human race.When the first man had been created, God said (Gen. 2:18): "Itis not good for man to be alone; let us make him a helper like tohimself."

2. It is entirely fitting that woman should be made fromman. This fact shows the likeness of man to God; for as one God isthe principle of the whole universe, so one man is the principle ofthe whole human race. Further, the fact that woman is derived fromman should make a man love his wife and cherish her as "boneof my bone, and flesh of my flesh." Again, this fact indicatesthe order of domestic life, with man as the natural head of thehousehold. Finally, the origin of woman from man has a holyallegorical meaning, and foreshadows the origin of the Church fromChrist.

3. The first woman was formed from a rib of the first man:"God built the rib which he took from Adam into a woman"(Gen. 2:22). Woman was suitably taken from man's side, toindicate social equality and companionship; she was not taken fromman's head to rule him, nor from his feet to be his slave.

4. Only God can produce a man from the slime of the earthand a woman from the rib of a man. Therefore the woman, as well asthe man, was formed immediately by almighty God.

"As the flesh is nourished by food, so is man supported by prayers" St Augustine

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"Lord, take from me everything that hinders me from going to You. give me all that will lead me to You. Take me from myself and give me to Yourself." St Nicholas Flue

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"Though the path is plain and smooth for people of good will, those who walk it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty if they do not have good feet, courage, and tenacity of spirit.
" St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church